Before I go on, let's take a moment to honour Anne Heggtveit, who the slope is named after. She was born in Ottawa on January 11, 1939, and was a skiing prodigy from a young age. By the time she was seven, she was already the senior ladies' combined champion at Camp Fortune. Later, she won Canada's first Olympic gold medal in Alpine Skiing in 1960 and went on to win other world titles.
Anne was an all-around star, too. She was a spokesperson for Dupont of Canada and even got a BSc degree when she was 50. She was into photography and started her own business. That's why she was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame and became a member of the Order of Canada.
After retiring, Anne moved to North Carolina and started a new chapter. She married, raised a family, and even got another degree in science when she was 54. She got into botany and photography and kept herself busy. Even though she's not skiing anymore, she still watches the Olympics and hopes to see more Canadians on the podium.
Anne Hamilton, as she's now known, emphasizes the mental aspect of skiing. Her slalom skills gave her an eye for what makes top athletes stand out. She's got a gold medal, but she's still thinking about skiing and the Olympics when they come around.
As for me, I'm excited to get back on the Heggtveit Double Black Slopes and make new memories. It's not just a slope, it's a legend, named after a skiing legend. Let's celebrate Anne Heggtveit and all the skiers she's inspired. Get your skis and join me on the Heggtveit slopes!